The Covenant at Sinai and the Royal Priesthood Fulfilled in Christ and His Church (Exodus 19:1-7)

In the third month after the Israelites’ departure from the land of Egypt, on the first day, they came to the wilderness of Sinai. 2 After they made the journey from Rephidim and entered the wilderness of Sinai, they then pitched camp in the wilderness. While Israel was encamped there in front of the mountain, 3 Moses went up to the mountain of God. Then the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying: This is what you will say to the house of Jacob; tell the Israelites: 4 You have seen how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now, if you obey me completely and keep my covenant, you will be my treasured possession among all peoples, though all the earth is mine. 6 You will be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. That is what you must tell the Israelites. 7 So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people. When he set before them all that the Lord had ordered him to tell them, 8all the people answered together, “Everything the Lord has said, we will do.” Then Moses brought back to the Lord the response of the people.

Exodus 19:1-7 describes Israel’s arrival at Mount Sinai, where God prepares to formally establish His covenant with them.  He reminds them of His saving action—how He bore them on 'eagles’ wings' (Exod. 19:4), a metaphor for divine protection and deliverance (Deut. 32:11-12; Isa 40:31).  If they obey Him and keep His covenant, they will be His 'special possession' (segullah), a 'kingdom of priests and a holy nation' (Exod. 19:5-6), signifying their role in bringing God's presence to the world.  This echoes God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be a great nation (Gen. 12:2).

This passage finds fulfillment in 1 Peter 2:9, where the Church inherits Israel’s vocation as a 'chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.' Likewise, Revelation 1:6 describes Christ’s followers as 'a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,' reflecting their role in worship and witness.  Through Christ’s new covenant (Luke 22:20; Heb. 8:6-13), believers are transformed into a spiritual priesthood, offering their lives as a sacrifice (Rom. 12:1).  Christ, as the ultimate High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16), enables believers to share in His priestly mission.

The covenant at Sinai sets the stage for the giving of the Law (Exod. 20), through which Israel was to live out its divine calling.  This anticipates the new covenant in Christ (Jer. 31:31-34; Luke 22:20), in which the law is written on the heart, and ultimately the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation.  While Israel was called to holiness (Lev. 19:2), this is fully realized in Christ, who enables His followers to share in divine sonship (Gal. 4:4-7).  Obedience to God's word as the path to blessing (Exod. 19:5; Deut. 28:1-14) remains central in the New Testament (John 14:15; Rom. 6:16-18), as the Church—the new Israel (Gal. 6:16)—continues the mission of making God known to the nations (Matt. 28:19-20).  In Christ, the Law is fulfilled, and a new people of God, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is established (Gal. 3:28-29).

God’s declaration in Exodus 19:6 that Israel is to be a kingdom of priests is ultimately realized in Christ, who perfects this calling through His own priesthood (Heb. 7:24-25). The mission of Israel—to reflect God's holiness (Lev. 19:2)—is now extended to all who are united to Christ, forming the Church as the spiritual Israel (Gal. 6:16).

Almighty God, You have called us to be Your holy people, a royal priesthood set apart for Your glory.  As You carried Israel on eagles’ wings, so too You have redeemed us in Christ, our High Priest and King. Strengthen us to walk in Your ways, proclaim Your truth, and serve You faithfully. This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

                                                       

Sources

• McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
• Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
• Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
• Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
• Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: The Pentateuch. Four Courts Press, 2017
• Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
• Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
• Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.